Alan Shearer is the key to NUFC success on and off the field
Jun 3 2009 by Sam Wood, The Journal
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IF MIKE Ashley lets Alan Shearer slip through his fingers it could be his biggest mistake yet, according to a North East sports management expert.
The Newcastle United owner this week admitted to errors in running the club since his multi-million pound takeover.
Fans have been angered by the role of Dennis Wise at St James’s Park and by Ashley’s failure to back Kevin Keegan.
And with supporters growing increasingly worried about the length of discussions over Shearer’s future, the want-away owner was last night warned to make a decision.
Dr Paul Blakey, senior lecturer in sports management at Northumbria University told The Journal that it would be another massive mistake, both on and off the pitch, if Shearer left the club.
He said: “Alan Shearer is Newcastle United, the club needs to have him on board, from both a business and marketing point of view, as well on the football side of things.
“The value of the club has already fallen away dramatically after the relegation and without Shearer at the helm I would expect it could fall even further.
“They are looking at a decline of 10-15% on ticket sales already and if Shearer doesn’t stay I would expect that to fall further as well.
